The Cowpastures

Historian Dr Ian Willis will conduct a guided walk around Belgenny Farm at today’s Pioneer Day at 1.30pm. See you there. No booking necessary. Pioneer Day entry $5. Open 10am to 3pm. Organised by Friends of Belgenny Farm. @friendsofbelgennyfarm @belgenny.farm @belgenny.events #belgennyfarm #farmlife #history #farminghistory #countrylife

George Caley’s 1804 Report on the Vaccary Forest George Caley (1770–1829) explored the Cowpastures in New South Wales and reported in 1804 on the thriving wild cattle there, suggesting the name “Vaccary Forest.” Caley’s knowledg…

HERITAGE STUDY CAMDEN NEW SOUTH WALES Documentary Evidence addressing criteria for statutory heritage listing The Camden Township Heritage Study highlights Camden’s unique historical and cultural significance, being an unofficial town established in 1836. Its intact colonial architecture, exceptional…

Insights from the Hawdon Letters: Colonial Life in NSW, Part 1, 1828-1830 John Hawdon’s letters (1828-1830) provide an intimate view of colonial life in New South Wales. Addressed to family in England, they detail challenges of farming, personal hardships, and isol…

Exploring Belgenny Farm: Australia’s Oldest Farm Complex Belgenny Farm, located in Camden, NSW, is Australia’s oldest surviving group of farm buildings, dating back to the 1820s. This historical site includes significant structures like stables, a coach …

Exploring the Cowpastures: the early history of a settler society The Cowpastures region, named by Governor Hunter in 1795, reflects a culturally constructed landscape stemming from the 18th century. Originating with wild cattle from the First Fleet, it evolved i…

Traditional trades, the legacy of Camden’s carpenters Carpentry, vital in Camden for centuries, began with Aboriginal bush carpentry using local materials for survival. European settlers adopted this craft, creating simple structures and relying on in…

Privacy, piety and power at Camden Park: 1905 Vickery-Ellis marriage In mid-1905, a private wedding took place at Camden Park between 82-year-old Ebenezer Vickery and 52-year-old Deborah Louise Ellis, a teacher and charity worker. Despite gossip in The Bulletin maga…

Top Walking Trails in Camden: Experience Walking the Cowpastures Camden township, located in the historical Cow Pastures, features walking and cycling paths that reflect its Indigenous and colonial history. The Nepean River Trail, integrating various public artw…

Explore History with Friends of Belgenny Farm Events On a cloudy day in late May 2025, the Friends of Belgenny Farm held an open day attracting over 285 visitors interested in early Australian history. The event featured various stalls, historical di…